Brad Penner/USA TODAY SportsCarlos Hyde received five carries or fewer in half of his 14 games as a rookie.

One of the craziest set of days of offseason football trades and signings passed recently, and it certainly resulted in massive changes to my updated rankings. That’s right, I know it’s merely March and nobody’s participating in a fantasy football draft yet -- or are you? –- but we’re nothing but thorough here at ESPN Fantasy, so we’ve got rankings pretty much all the time. Call it a pigskin version of March Madness, if you will. Here are players that gained spots in my rankings as a result of offseason wildness and others who didn’t fare as well, even though in some cases, their accountants might disagree.

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski played in 15 games this past season, missing out on appearing in all 16 only because his team – thanks, obviously to some degree, to his spectacular talent -- was too good. But still, give Gronk major props, as if he needs more of them. Many didn’t think he’d come close to playing in every regular-season game. He sure didn’t in 2012 and 2013, and generally as players get older they don’t become more durable, not in professional football. Gronk had a lot to prove and he sure did so, scoring 178 standard fantasy points, enough to tie him with Kellen Winslow in 1980 for fifth-best ever at tight end. Gronk was great, not 2011 all-time monster record great, but great enough, and as seems the case every season, he’s the story of the tight end position.

Ezra Shaw/Getty ImagesDespite just 17 carries through Week 9, C.J. Anderson was able to finish 11th in standard fantasy points among running backs for the 2014 season.

There was one fairly obvious first overall pick in fantasy football drafts for the 2014 season, and unfortunately that guy, a pretty famous running back, was able to perform in only one game, and not because of injury. This news might imply that the season was doomed for those who had the first pick or for the running back position in general, but there were plenty of positives as well, surprises that weren’t the least bit relevant way back when we were initially drafting. Gone are the days when a fantasy owner must logically and universally use his/her first selection on a running back, but they shouldn’t be ignored, either. As we did with quarterbacks a week ago and will with wide receivers in a week, let’s recap what occurred at this critical position while also looking ahead, longing for every first-round pick to work out.

The 2014 fantasy football season was far from a record-breaking one for quarterbacks, certainly not the like the year before. Nobody came close to tossing 55 touchdown passes. Nobody reached 5,000 passing yards. While the position remains deep (at least in comparison to running backs!) and full of high-level statistical performers, in the end the quarterback spot was actually a bit disappointing thanks to an ordinary December. Still, even ordinary performers, which they are not, are worth discussing and because it’s January, it’s the time of year we break down the top fantasy positions in this space, looking back and ahead while discussing the good, the bad and the Jay Cutler.

The fantasy football regular season ended in exciting fashion, and now it’s time for the playoffs. They should be even better, and what better way to enjoy them than with your own postseason pool? ESPN offers the free Gridiron Playoff Challenge, with scoring and roster construction similar to ESPN standard formats, but perhaps you and your buddies/co-workers/whoever have something else planned. Get in the game, and hopefully the rankings below will aid in securing a quality roster.

Robert Deutsch/USA TODAY SportsOdell Beckham Jr. had at least six catches and 90 yards in each game after the Giants' Week 8 bye.

First down:New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. ended his amazing rookie campaign in Sunday's Week 17 with yet another outstanding performance, catching 12 passes for 185 yards and a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles, worth 24 points in ESPN standard leagues. Then again, we've come to expect this from Beckham, the obvious choice for fantasy full-season MVP honors. Consider that Beckham made his delayed season debut in Week 5, and from that point on he was not only fantasy's No. 1 wide receiver, but the lone running backs to outscore him were Le'Veon Bell of the Pittsburgh Steelers and DeMarco Murray of the Dallas Cowboys. Congrats to Beckham, undrafted in most ESPN leagues but most critical in the end, and also the most popular wide receiver on fantasy-championship-round rosters.

AP Photo/Charlie RiedelC.J. Anderson has at least 19 standard fantasy points in five of his past seven games.

Welcome to Week 17 and the final edition of this season’s flex rankings. It’s been an awesome ride! Don’t worry, we’ll have playoff rankings next week -- for the actual NFL playoffs in January -- but for now, for those still competing for a fantasy championship, we salute you and we combine the best of the running backs, wide receivers and tight ends into one nifty package, delivered by Santa Claus himself. Please keep up with the news this weekend and Sunday morning for updates on which players might not play as much as expected.

And as always, best of luck to all in Week 17 and beyond, and Happy Holidays!

1. Le'Veon Bell, RB, Steelers: What more can we say? Terrific season, and he’s likely to end up as the highest-scoring nonquarterback in standard leagues, and surely in PPR formats.

2. Arian Foster, RB, Texans: It’s almost unfair to the Jaguars, in a lost season, having to face this guy who routinely runs all over them.

3. C.J. Anderson, RB, Broncos: Nice ranking for him, but the numbers are there. And the Raiders get run on, of course.

11. Antonio Brown, WR, Steelers: I don’t think enough people realize what Brown has achieved; he’ll end up with the second-most receptions of anyone in any season. And he’s consistent. Should finish as fantasy’s top WR, too.

Tom Pennington/Getty ImagesAfter scoring 14-plus points in his first 14 games this season, Andrew Luck had a goose egg Sunday.

For all those who decide their fantasy championships in one weekend of Week 16 games, thereby avoiding the occasionally frustrating final week (when several stars see their playing time compromised), we give you the sad story of Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck. This fantastic player entered Sunday as fantasy's No. 1 overall scorer with 322 points, an exemplary 23 point-per-game average and a tasty road game pending with the Dallas Cowboys, a team not exactly known for defensive exploits and with a sub-.500 record in home games this season. So what happened in Week 16, the biggest game of the year for most fantasy owners? Well, Luck and those relying on him weren't so lucky (pardon the pun). By the time Luck was pulled, with his team waxed 35-0, he had scored nary a fantasy point. Just like you and me.

Let's just say fantasy owners weren't pleased, even if the move made perfect sense. Zero points? Heck, even Johnny Manziel managed to score a fantasy point this weekend, and he didn't even play half the game.

Benny Sieu/USA TODAY SportsEddie Lacy has picked the right time to play some of his best ball.

Well, the fantasy football season is nearly over, but don't say that to those still playing for something. It's all about what's ahead, and hopefully the players you choose for your flex position can contribute positively. Several of the players on the most championship-round rosters in ESPN leagues have been among the most productive players of late, and you'll find those names near the top of the rankings. Then again, some of the recent strugglers, such as a certain Chicago Bears running back and Denver Broncos wide receiver, also remain in high regard. Regardless, here are the latest flex rankings, combining the running backs, wide receivers and tight ends into one group.

And as always, best of luck to all in Week 16 and beyond, and happy holidays!

1. Le'Veon Bell, RB, Steelers: He's only three points behind the top spot for non-quarterbacks in standard scoring this season, and Bell didn't have surgery for a broken hand this week.

2. Eddie Lacy, RB, Packers: Remember back in September when so many wanted to flat-out cut the guy? Double digits in fantasy scoring 10 of 11 contests since then.

3. Jamaal Charles, RB, Chiefs: Had an eight-game streak of scoring in double digits broken in a tasty matchup against Oakland last week, but don't sit him now. This is another fine matchup.

4. DeMarco Murray, RB, Cowboys: I actually think he will play and won't be hampered much from the injury, but please make sure Sunday afternoon the team has him active.

5. Calvin Johnson, WR, Lions: Skewered the Bears the last time, and really ought to do so again. Not much is in the way.

6. Arian Foster, RB, Texans: Not the easiest matchup and it would help to have an actual NFL quarterback handing off to him, but still an elite option.

13. Matt Forte, RB, Bears: Yes, he didn't have much success the last game versus Detroit, but I'm treating him as an elite player, because he is. Is more than capable of making a big play or two regardless of the team's quarterback play.

37. Alshon Jeffery, WR, Bears: As long as some of the footballs Jay … um, I mean, Jimmy Clausen launches are in his general direction, he can produce enough numbers.

38. Jonathan Stewart, RB, Panthers: This is his best three-game run of stats since 2010. It'd be surprising if the return of DeAngelo Williams messes that up. Stewart, on the other hand, can mess it up.

Wide receiver Calvin Johnson was a first-round pick in many ESPN average live drafts, and first at his position. Matthew Stafford was the fifth quarterback chosen, a fourth-rounder overall. Running back Reggie Bush went before Stafford, with Joique Bell a few rounds later, which obviously was ill-advised. The Detroit Lions were supposed to carry fantasy owners this season, but as in many things in life, some plans get derailed. Stafford is the No. 15 QB. Johnson is barely top-20 among wide receivers. Perhaps the most valuable Lion has been the team’s defense/special teams, third overall after being undrafted. Regardless, it’s Week 16 now, hopefully you’re still playing for something and it’s time for Stafford, Megatron and yes, the outstanding Lions defense to help you out, because it’s Chicago Bears week again!

The most prolific non-quarterback in fantasy football this season could be leaving us at the worst possible time. Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray, No. 8 overall in fantasy points, broke a bone in his left hand in Sunday’s win over the Philadelphia Eagles and underwent surgery Monday. The team remains hopeful Murray, with nearly 1,700 rushing yards -- 400 more than anyone else's total -- can handle his normal workload in Sunday’s critical matchup with the Indianapolis Colts, but fantasy owners need to plan ahead.

As for Beckham, ridiculously quick, tough and blessed with large hands, he was the latest to toy with the brutal Washington Redskins defense, hauling in 12 passes for 143 yards and three touchdowns for an NFL-leading 30 fantasy points. Since debuting in Week 5 -- he missed September with a hamstring injury -- he has outscored every wide receiver for fantasy scoring except the Denver Broncos’ Demaryius Thomas, which is quite an achievement. As great and consistent as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Antonio Brown and Green Bay Packers’ Jordy Nelson are, among others, Beckham has been better since he began playing at the beginning of October, becoming the first receiver since the New Orleans Saints’ Marques Colston in 2006 -- and only the third since 1960 -- to reach 100 standard fantasy points after nine games. Then in his 10th game he scored 30! Let’s call Beckham a clear top-10 wide receiver, safe regardless of matchup, and it’s going to be tough to keep him from next year’s top 10 as well.

Ron Chenoy/USA TODAY SportsThe red-hot C.J. Anderson has emerged as a must-start player every week.

For many in ESPN leagues, this is going to be the final week of the fantasy season, as it's the playoff semifinals and, well, someone's going to win each matchup and someone's going to lose. Hopefully you're on the winning side, and these rankings, along with the multitude of information provided by me and my far smarter colleagues at ESPN Fantasy, worked to inform and entertain you along the way. So, here is the latest compilation of the top running backs, wide receivers and tight ends all in one tidy list. Whether you're trailing or leading, pick the best options.

And as always, best of luck to all in Week 15 and beyond!

1. Le'Veon Bell, RB, Steelers: He's certainly on his way to finishing as fantasy's top non-quarterback. Matchups no longer matter with him.

2. Arian Foster, RB, Texans: Regularly torches the Colts, and this weekend shouldn't be any different. Nice to see him healthy again.

3. Jamaal Charles, RB, Chiefs: Like Foster, he's achieved great success against this week's foe, the Raiders. Well really, who hasn't?

4. Matt Forte, RB, Bears: He might end up with more than 100 receptions. I'd like to see that, actually.

5. DeMarco Murray, RB, Cowboys: Still really, really good, and still really, really healthy. For those who thought it wasn't possible.

61. Terrance West, RB, Browns: Getting plenty of touches and isn't really the backup here. Of course, it's not about the running game this week.

62. Vincent Jackson, WR, Buccaneers: Odd season for him. Scored his most points in Week 14, but the two games in which he has touchdowns are his No. 3 and 4 games of the season. Bottom line is he's been disappointing.

83. Julius Thomas, TE, Broncos: His name seems way out of place in this spot, but are you really sure he'll play and see enough targets? Didn't you think that last week?

84. Toby Gerhart, RB, Jaguars: Nice season for him. From starter to the bench to only relevant again because Denard Robinson is done for the season. Don't invest. Jordan Todman probably gets a chance, too.

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ABOUT THIS BLOG

Eric Karabell

Eric Karabell is a senior writer for ESPN.com. He has worked at ESPN since 1997 and covered fantasy sports for ESPN since 2001, specializing in baseball and football. Eric contributes to ESPN The Magazine and appears on a variety of digital platforms for ESPN.com. He has been honored twice as fantasy sports writer of the year by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association, his blog was named best fantasy baseball series for 2007 and he was inducted into the inaugural FSWA Hall of Fame class in 2011.

Eric grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs, and accordingly, favors all Philly teams first, his fantasy teams second. He previously served as ESPN.com's lead NBA editor, and is a former Washington Post and Philadelphia Inquirer sports writer. Eric is also the author of "The Best Philadelphia Sports Arguments," published by Source Books and available in bookstores and online.